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Photo: Hoai Nam

Photo: Hoai Nam

Many times I had the opportunity to enjoy his talent, I said: "One day soon, no matter what, I must come back to listen to you tell stories about singing and playing the zither" - "Okay, I will come back, I am always ready", a firm handshake.

The road to Thanh Tung (Dam Doi district) was quite difficult, but the attraction of his music and his artistic style cleverly dispelled all the fleeting fatigue. The car stopped at a spacious house as directed. Before we could see each other, Meritorious Artist Thanh Hong greeted the distant guest with a hearty laugh. His clothes were neat, his violin was also neatly placed, ready to go on a fun trip. A few phone calls rang loudly when the appointment time had come. The more urgent the calls, the happier his eyes were, because this time the Don Ca Tai Tu Club (ĐCTT CLUB) of Thanh Tung commune promised to have many members. Over a cup of hot tea, we took the opportunity to tell stories about his passion and the amateurs.

“You see! My work is so dense. I have to take care of the family business, practice, and club activities, and participate in competitions and performances. From Ca Mau to Kien Giang , Bac Lieu, and Can Tho. It's fun to travel all the time... In the past, my father was a musician, from Vinh Long. During the French occupation, he had to leave his homeland and return to Ca Mau. Wherever he went, he taught music, from Rach Tau, Rach Goc, Tan An, and then Ong Trang. Fate decided to bring him to his old wife and together they started a business, had children and grandchildren in this land. Both my father and my uncle are good musicians, if you come here and ask about Mr. Tam Don and Mr. Chin Don, everyone will know them. I was born and lived in the cradle of music and singing, and when I grew up, I followed in my father and uncle's footsteps...”, Meritorious Artist Thanh Hong turned each page of the family's artistic tradition.

At the age of sixty, the old stories are still vivid. In the past, 3 kilometers from home was the base of the Ca Mau Province Liberation Art Troupe. Mr. Tam Don - his father always wholeheartedly protected and supported generations of artists of the Art Troupe and later the Huong Tram Cai Luong Troupe. The family's love for art is very passionate. Therefore, until now, when we have entered the rare old age, but every time we have the opportunity to sit together, talking about that memorial house and Mr. Tam Don, Meritorious Artist Huynh Hanh, People's Artist Minh Duong, Meritorious Artist Pham Dien... still keep the gratitude.

His father was a talented artist, specializing in playing three musical instruments: tranh, kim, and guitar, so from the time he could walk, he was familiar with the pentatonic scale. At the age of 8, Thanh Hong boldly followed his father to music clubs and parties to join in the singing and playing. While learning to sing and play instruments from his father and uncle, the wandering, romantic nature gradually permeated the young man. In 1979, he was invited to join the Huong Tram Opera Group, starting his journey as a "silkworm spinning silk".

A solid foundation of knowledge, combined with the determination to follow in his father's footsteps, helped Thanh Hong's playing skills flourish and quickly make a beautiful mark in the art world.

Nearly 9 years of working in a professional art troupe was a truly happy time, and every time he told the story, his eyes lit up. Youth was full of passion, enthusiasm, and a desire to contribute, but due to the family's limited financial situation and his parents' old age, he was forced to make the choice to temporarily put his passion on hold to take care of his family.

Missing the stage, missing the colorful lights of each performance night made her sleep fitful for a long time. It seemed that the "Ancestor" still loved her. After 10 years of hiatus from the arts, only knowing how to work hard and support her parents, when the economy was relatively stable, no longer having to worry about food and clothing, Thanh Hong received invitations to return to the stage.

From here, his violin sound rose again, regularly participating with the Provincial Cultural Center , Huong Tram Cai Luong Troupe in major events, festivals, competitions, mass and professional performances at the regional and national levels. He contributed to bringing home many Gold and Silver Medals for his hometown Ca Mau. Like a fish released back into the cool, clear artistic waters, he was free to swim. If met in real life, people would only see a gentle artist, but when entering the stage space or a place where he was in a trance, he seemed to be "possessed", forgetting all the dark and bright colors of life. In that moment, the sound of the violin was high and low, shrill, strangely attracting listeners.

In the late 90s and early 2000s, the ĐCTT movement developed strongly again in the far land. Thanh Hong had already become one of the famous artists, but besides devoting himself to honing his profession to contribute to the big stages, he also devoted himself to the art movement in his hometown Thanh Tung. For more than 20 years of being attached to the ĐCTT Club of Thanh Tung commune as Vice Chairman, he has always been a solid support in all aspects so that the beautiful passion can be connected more widely. Every way of bringing the breath, the voice, and polishing the notes of the instrument were taught and guided by him wholeheartedly. The flame of the movement from this place, with his breath and support, burned more and more passionately.

Talking about his seniors in the profession, and also as a teacher, actor Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Thanh Tung Commune's ÐCTT Club, always reserved the most beautiful and respectful words. For her, Meritorious Artist Thanh Hong not only has heart and vision but also a high sense of responsibility every time she steps into the hall of art. Whenever he hears about a ÐCTT competition or festival anywhere in the province, he will notify and encourage club members to participate. Competing is one thing, but what he desires most is that everyone has the opportunity to rub shoulders and learn the profession continuously. Every time, without hesitation or waiting for funding, first of all, he will find ways to make the actors feel secure and try their best to achieve the best possible results.

“Before leading the team to the competition, Uncle Ut will directly find the rhythms and pieces that are suitable for each talent, then assign, teach, and accompany them to practice very enthusiastically. The locality still has many difficulties, there is no place for the brothers to gather, so his house will be a familiar address, both he and his wife create all conditions for the children and grandchildren to practice in the most comfortable way. His personality is close and generous, but when it comes to practicing, touching on the profession, he is very serious and fastidious, if he does not compete, then that is it, but when he participates, he must be determined to bring home achievements. Another good thing is that for any talent who has participated in competitions at the playgrounds but luck has not smiled on him, he will polish it more to improve and win the next time. With his profession, he is complete in his heart and talent; with society, he is always gentle and lives modestly, so almost everyone respects Uncle Ut”, talent Nguyen Ngoc Tien shared.

I still remember the year 2022, the moment I went on stage to receive the noble title of "Meritorious Artist" awarded by the State, the emotion was wrapped up in every step, every look and every gentle smile. I know that in that joy, there was a long journey of ups and downs, full of thanks to my father, my uncle; to the love of the public and the love song that raised my life's dream higher./.

Minh Hoang Phuc

Source: https://baocamau.vn/nghe-nhan-uu-tu-thanh-hong-cung-don-nang-giac-mo-doi-a34787.html